Recently, my 2013 F150 Ecoboost started to make a faint, but noticeable, vibration that is felt mostly up through the steering wheel and gas pedal mostly in the 35-50 MPH range when the truck is given a bit of gas. The vibration is constantly there, but most noticeable when a "load" is given to the truck. Another influencing factor is that when the truck is turned to either the left or right, the vibration is felt a bit more.

Here is some history:

* This truck is new to me - received it about 3 months ago. The truck drove brand new-like.
* About a month ago, I started to notice that the truck's front tires would catch every grove in the road. As if a tie rod had literally broken in half. The truck was taken in to the dealer, and a frame bolt was found to be loose. It was tightened, and improved the veering.
* About 3 weeks ago, the truck was put in to 4x4 (4A), and driven off road (I live on a ranch) in speeds up to 50'ish MPH. The driving included some asphalt driving, but mostly true off road conditions.

Now, back to present, the vibration throughout the truck, again, mostly felt through the steering wheel and gas pedal after the 4x4 drive mentioned above is driving me crazy. It's not severe, but I can tell something is very different.

I took the truck back to the dealer again, and they had it the entire week looking for the cause of this vibration. At first, the dealer said this vibration is typical of a 4x4 truck, but because my dealer is seriously cool, and I was still unhappy, they continued to look. They finally replaced the 4x4 actuator on the passenger side, and sent it home to me.

The issue is still there. The replacement of the actuator did not improve things at all.

My personal opinion is that a bearing is now worn, but I am not familiar enough with newer trucks to make a solid guess. Maybe the differential bearing took a beating? Perhaps the 4x4 pinion bearing?

My basic question is this... driving a truck in 4x4 (4A) too fast would cause what to be concerned about? Where would you start looking, or suggest looking to the dealer, to sort this one out?

I thank any and all opinions or suggestions. If I could, I buy anyone who helps out a beer.

Thanks again.

 

Couple of maybes...

Are your tires wearing evenly, possible broken belt inside tire?

Is it a jerking motion vibration or a up and down vibration?

 

I know your truck is much newer and probably not affected by this issue, but it might be worth consideration.

 

If it's a supercrew have them check u-joints in driveshaft them might seem fine have them replace them
That's what fixed my shake shudder vibration
2012 fx4 supercrew ecoboost 3.5 liter

 

Start off with something simple like Will and balance. After that you might have a bad bushing or bad you joint. Also warped rotors are not out of the question. There are dozens more possibilities and that is why I don't buy a used vehicle